A Letter from the Ministry MS

Solomon was rarely seen about the Scottish castle, preferring his private quarters to his office or even the Great Hall. He had become a figure head rather than a Headmaster. The years had worn away at him, leaving a canyon in his soul. He was a man of many secrets and even more regrets. He had come to Hogwarts to escape, to hide. To hide from the prying eyes of the media, to escape the bitter memories of not only his failures but his shortcomings and his arrogance. He would have given anything to undo the wrongs of his past, to give back what he had taken and to undo what could not be undone.

Today was one of those rare outings. He did not return home for the holidays as there was no home to return to. His estranged wife had moved on, to where he did not know. His son died years ago, he never had the opportunity to properly or openly mourn him. The bastard really did want him to suffer more than he wanted him dead -- so the crying closet it was. A place of madness that twisted his perceptions and gave form to his nightmares. His son died the same day he was spirited away. Apparently, he tried to kidnap some students, he tried to attack still others. He had been dead for months, buried in a pauper's grave unclaimed by the time he was found. He had no hope of recovering his son Edwin. He never made mention of his loss or his grief, it was senseless to draw others into his suffering, to earn their concern or contempt for the acts of his bloodline and the dishonor they had earned.

He had tried more than one to reach out to his wife Morgantha. Ex by now he presumed, separated for a span of years and no living children between them. His der daughter would have been sixteen this year. She would have been a nightmare, dresses and boys. A soft chuckle quickly turned to tears, he wanted that nightmare. She would have been beautiful, coveted. He would have had to of expelled half a house he was certain. He could only hope that he had Morgantha's sensibilities rather than his own. Crudely flawed, he had served them both poorly.

He had been summoned from his chamber by a letter from the Ministry of Magic that demanded his attention. Apparently there had been 'progressive demands' made of certain pureblooded stakeholders that the Ministry was unwilling to deny. Solomon was old, he did not understand half the words, but he understood enough as he started to draft a letter to students and parents.

Hogwarts is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive living accommodations for all students living in our residential facilities. The majority of Hogwart's dormitory system limit living arrangements to same-gender roommate pairings, but this does not meet the needs of some students. Gender inclusive housing options allow students who identify as transgender, gender non-conforming, cisgender and among other gender identities the ability to choose a roommate of any gender or gender expression. Gender inclusive housing, termed 'non-binary' help further develop an atmosphere at Hogwarts that is positive, respectful, and inclusive for all students. Gender inclusive housing is voluntary.

The non-binary housing option is available to all wizarding students. The purpose of non-binary living options is to provide a safe space for transgender, gender non-conforming, cisgender, and otherwise identified students. Students who have an understanding of gender identity and gender expression and are willing to actively contribute to an inclusive community can live in non-binary dorms if they so choose.

The only limitation we have on this is that we ask that students respect the boundaries and comfort of their fellow students. Some students will not feel comfortable cohabitating with members of the opposite gender or who conform to binary gender standards. They have the same right to a safe and comfortable living experience as anyone else.

If anyone has any questions regarding this change, the addition of an additional non-binary living option, please forward your inquiries to the Ministry of Magic. As of Jann 1, 2022, additional living arrangements are to be provided by magical schools in the UK to serve the non-binary student population. This would make Hogwarts among the first magical schools to implement this change. It is our hope that with your help that we will have a more inclusive tomorrow with the changes we make today.

Solomon Lear

It would be an enormous undertaking over winter break for the house elves to make the necessary changes. A surprise to his heads of House that now they would have three sets of students to manage. Perhaps reducing the total numbers that congregate would be a hidden blessing. One could hope in any case.